UK: ‘Barbaric’ gang jailed for badger baiting
Four men who formed the core of a “barbaric” gang of badger baiters have each been jailed for 16 weeks and ordered to pay £850 in costs and compensation for killing three animals and a litter of unborn cubs.
Two others were given suspended 12-week sentences and a teenager who laughed with them as the badgers were torn apart by dogs was served with a year’s supervision order requiring 10 sessions with the RSPCA.
District judge Kristina Harrison, sitting at Scarborough, commended a wildlife photographer who came across the scene and covertly took pictures of the men, five of whom had guns. She called him “brave and courageous” before telling the gang their cruelty had caused public revulsion.
“The people of Yorkshire will not tolerate badger baiting in their midst. It is barbaric and abhorrent and anyone convicted of this kind of offence will receive a custodial sentence,” she said. “This is a clear signal to anybody who seeks to commit this kind of behaviour.” (via guardian.co.uk)
